Mold-facing device



2 Shasta-Shoot' .-2

W. D. MCORE MOLD FACING DEVICE naar.

QM. .MW/MM WITN ESSES Patented Oct. l6, 1923.

UNITED STATES PATENT oFF/ICE. i

WILLIAM DAVIS MOORE, F BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA, ASSIGNOE T0 AMERICAN CAST- IRON PIPE COMPANY, 0F BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA, A CORPORATION 0F GEORGIA.

M OLD-FACIN G DEVICE.

Application ille-d September 18, 1 922.. Serial No. 587,999.

useful Improvements in Mold-Facing Devices, of which the following is a specifica-l tion.

This invention relates' a mbld facing de-,

vices. v

The object is Ito provide a device for mechanically applying the coating or facing to the Walls of molds, and is es ecially l designed for use in connection with t e making of sand or other similar molds for the casting centrifugally of cast iron pipe. sections or other hollow, tubular members.

Another object is to dispense with the use of the ordinary black wash or foundry vfacing, which is composed of graphite, plumbago, or similar substance in a liquidstate, and which requires a drying process over a heating oven, and to substitute therefor a coating or facing of dry, powdered plum- A '25 bago, graphite, cement or any other suitable substance, the device embodying mleans to be inserted into the upper end of a standing flask, having the mold already formed therein of green or tempered sand applied 3 in a slightly moist condition, said means applying to the mold a uniform coating of the facing material withoutwdanger `oifinjuring the mold, and obviating the necessity for the expensive and time-consuming process of heating and drying the mold, as when -j the ordinaryliquid wash is employed.

Another object is to provide a simple, cheaply constructed power-driven device which acts to `further smooth the mold and 40 to rub the. facing thereinto, thus serving to absorb the remaining moisture in the sand, and to cause a sufiicient drying of the same to enable the imrmediate casting of the metal i therein, after the proper corefhas been placed in position` the device being capable of being lowered throughout the entire length of the mold so as to treat all of the surfacethereof and to be freely withdrawn therefrom, means being employed for centering 5 the device within the mold while in operation and for preventing any of the `powin operation;

the mold. A

A full and complete understanding of the invention may be obtained from a consideration of the yfollowing detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, it being understood that while the drawings show a practical form of the invention, the latter is not confined to strict conformity with the showing thereof, but may be changed or modified, so long as such changes rmodilications mark no material departure from the salient features of the invention, as specifically pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings, in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several figures:

Figure 1 is a vertical, longitudinalsection of an upright flask having a pipe mold therein and showing the improved facing device Figure 2 1s a side eleva-tion of the device drawn on a larger scale;

lFigure 3 is a longitudinal sectionalview of the device further enlarged Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 4-4 lof Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a similar section taken on thel line 5-5 of Figure; and

Figure 6 is atransverse sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 3. While, as has been stated, the present invention is particularly adapted for use in preparing mods for pipe or other similar 'objects to be used in casting machines employing the'centrifugal force of a revolving mold and flask to deposit the molten metal therein, it is to be understood that the facing device is equallyadvantageous in preparing any other kind of cylindrical mold for other purposes, and -to have the metal cast therein in any other manner, and no attempt has therefore been made to illustrate the exact construction of the mold proper, nor the flask containing the same, as shown in vFigure 1 of the drawings.

1 indicates the flask which may be of any suitable rform adapted to receive the usual sand lining 2 or mold proper, which, where dered facing from issuing from the'top of fiol the dry facin is used as with the improved device, may rammed or packed in the ask and around the usual pattern while in a relatively dry state, there being suiiicient moisture only to retain the sand in form because,'as has already been stated, the use of the dry facing obviates the necessity for drying the mold over the usual heating ovens.

After the mold is formed and the pattern withdrawn therefrom, the device of the present invention is brought into use to apply the facing throughout the entire interior face of the mold, for the purpose, as is usual, of forming a coating over the same to prevent the sand from unduly adhering to the cast metal after the same has cooled. When the facing has been applied, as stated, the mold may be immediately placed in a centrifugal casting machine, or in position for the ordina-ry method of Vcasting the metal by pouring, after the necessary core has been positioned therein, and the casting made without the loss of time and the extra ex pense and labor of shifting the flask and mold into the usual pit and over the drying ovens, as is usually done, such operations being of considerable moment especially in the casting of pipe or other objects of large size and diameter.

The invention comprises a receptacle for containing the facing, which may be in the form of dry, powdered, plumbago, graphite,

.lamp black, cement or any other desired powdered material, said receptacle being supported in a position to permit of its discharging a small quantity of the said powder at a time, and having automatic means for intermittently opening and closing the lower end thereof, while beneath the low of powder are located revolving means for applying the same to the face of the mold by a gentle rubbing process, whlch does not injure the surface of the mold, the whole device being lowered by means of a ileXible conductor for compressed alr, in case a compressed air motor is employed for driving the device, or an electrlcal conductor, in the event it is desired to employ an electric motor for the purpose, as either may be used wit-h equal adi vanta-ge. One passage of the device through the mold, it has been demonstrated, is sutilcient to apply an ample coating of the dry owdered facing, that is to say, by simply -owering the revolving applicator from the top of the flask having the mold therein, to the bottom of the same, with a slow, steady movement, and then gently withdrawing the Same by elevating it to the top again, the mold may be treated sufficiently to receive .the metal, as the device has cushioning means for preventing injury during such passage, said means serving to guide the devlce during its passage and to prevent flying particles of the powder from passing upwardly and out of the mold, which would retard the operators in their work and prove injurious or detrimental.

The receptacle, indicated by the numeral 3, is in the form of a tubular casing formed of any suitable sheet metal, open at each end, and of a length and diameter to contain sullicient quantity of the powdered facing to properly coat the inner walls of the particular mold being treated, it beino understood that the facing devices will be made in different sizes and proportions for different sized pipes or other objects to be cast.

The 'upper end of the receptacle 3 is se-4 cured to and supported by a spider having an annular rim 4 and radial spokes 5 joined at the center inthe form of a hub 6, which is adapted to freely slide upwardly and downwardly upon a driving shaft 7 and without receiving rotary motion therefrom.

The shaft 7 extends somewhat above the to A end of the receptacle, and at this point iin s a bearing at the centers of two spaced metal discs 8, which are bolted or otherwise secured, as at L9, to the inturned foot portions 1.0, formed at the upper ends of supporting arms 11, which extend somewhat below the lower, open end of the receptacle and are there provided with similar inturned foot portions 12, which are screwed or otherwise secured, as at 13, to the underside of the marginal edges of a base plate or disc 14,

preferably formed of heavier metal than the arms 11. The disc 14 is centrally apertured for the reception of the ,shaft 7, and forms a lower bearing for the same slightly below the lower edge of the receptacle, and like the disc 8 at the upper end of the device, l

are prevented from turning with the shaft by the contact of the connecting and supporting arms 11 with the walls of the mold, as the device is lowered thereinto, said arms having their outer faces supplied with a cushioned facing 15, in the form of layers of felt suitably secured thereto and adapted to prevent injury to the mold and to'assist in guiding the device in its passage.l

Secured between the upper discs 8, by the bolts 9, is a disc 16 formed of heavy felt, and having its peripheral edge overhanging the edges of the said discs, said felt disc aiding in the guiding of the device, and serving to smooth the walls of the mold and to remove excess facing, in addition to preventing any of the latter from rising above thedevice and flying out of the mouth or upper end ofthe mold. It will be seen that whenv the device is lowered through the mold, the felt disc 16 will Hex upwardly around its entire periphe greater diameter, and likewise vwill flex downwardly when the device is raised, thus causing a complete sealing of the' passage through the mold. The arms, as shown, are

by reason of its the, marginal portion of the cone 19 and being deflected by the vlatter outwardly to` .strike against the adjacent walls of. the mold, the engagement of the arm 24 within the notch or recessl 23 preventing the.

of an angularly ses ber maybe employe four in number, arranged at diametrically opposlte points, though any desired numand they serve, in

oombinationwith the upper and lower discs, to form a non-revolving cage in surround-4 ing relation to the receptacle, which is also he d from rotation but free to move longitudinally on the shaft by means about to be described.

Beneath the base plate or disc 14 there is keyed to the shaft 7, a rotary, actuating disc 17, which is adapted to revolve at all times with -the shaft, and is provided with one or more, and preferably two upstanding cam faces 18, formed onitsupper face and adjacent to the peripheral edge thereof. Mounted on the base plate or disc 14, and suitably 4secured to the marginal edges thereof, is a hollow, conical deflector 19,'whose base is provided with a suitable attaching iange 20 for securing the same to the periphery o f the base plate 14, and whose apex is apertured, as at 21, for the shaft 7, thus forming a third bearing for the same, the said. cone being held from rotation by its connection to t e base plate 14. The diameter of the base of the cone is somewhat greater than the diameter of the receptacle 3, and the latter is adapted to normally rest thereon to form a seat or closure for the lower end of` the same, and to support the powdered contents of the receptacle, after the same has been placed therein'through the spokes 5 of the spider at the upper end of the receptacle, a coiled spring 22 ybeing interposed between the said spider and the lower face ofthe adjacentl disc 8 at-the topand in surrounding relation to the shaft 7, said spring s'ervin to force the receptacle downwardly onto tie cone and prevent the escape of the facing when the receptacle is y. being charged.

.At one point, the periphery of the'cone 19 and its supporting disc 14 is provided with anotch or recess 23, -to permit ofthe passage bent arm 24, having its upper, inwardly-directed end secured to the outer` face of the receptacle, as at 25, and carrying at its lower end a roller 26 located on the inner side of the arm and mounted for rotation on a trunnion whose axis is lradial to the shaft 7. The roller 26, through the expansive Aaction of the spring 22, bears at all times upon the upper face of the revolving Idisc 17, and in line with the cams, and the powdered facing is allowed to pass out in 4small quantities, fallingon --1're ceptaclel from turning through the in'- uence of the revolving disc 17 on they roller 26.

Immediately below the actuating disc 17, a drum 27 -preferably formed of some suitable wood 0r other material is keyed t'o the lower terminal of the shaft 7, and is adapted to revolve therewith, the said drum being of somewhat smaller diameter than the diameter of the disc K17, and having tangentially disposed strips 28 of felt, rubber or other liexible material, ini any desired number, suitably attached at their inner edges. thereto, and forming rubbers or wipers for contacting with the inner walls of the mold when the drum is revolved, and

. causing a complete and uniform application of the facing to the sand of the mold. The particular manner of attaching the felt strips 28 to the drum 27 causes the free edges of the same toily outwardly by centrifugal action, and to function without danger of damage to the sand mold.

the shaft 7, which The vupper terminal of is above the uppermost disc 8, is equipped with a couplin 29 of any vdesired form for connection to t e lower end of a motor shaft 30 for' imparting rotary motion thereto. Any form of motor may be employed for the purpose of driving the shaft 7, that illustrated being indicative of a compressed air motor 31 suitably braced and held in position by a yoke 32, mounted on the upper disc y 8 and held by twovof the bolts 9, which connect the said disc to the arms 11. The upper end of the motor shaft, where prof jec-ting through the yoke 32, is provided with From the foregoing it is thought a complete understanding of the. construction and the operation of the device will be had and it will be seen that a simple, cheaplv manu- Afactured and easily operated mold facing device has been provided, which will effectively apply the facing in adry state, thus permitting the mold to be used at once for casting, and dispensing with the use ofv the liquid was generally used, and the consequent drying of the mold over an oven,

which, as a separate operation, is expensive and time-consuming.

What is claimed is l 1. The method of facing hollow molds with powdered material which consists in moving a powder discharging means longitudinally through a hollow mold and in dis- 'chargingthe powder .therefrom in such a manner as to cause a coating of the same to be applied to the inner surface of the mold. Y

2. The method of facing hollow molds with powdered material which consists in moving a powder receptacle longitudinally through a hollow mold and in discharging the powder from the receptacle and applying it against the inner surface of the mold during such longitudinal movement to provide a coating on such inner surface.`

3. The method of facing refractory molds for use in centrifugal casting which consists in moving a powder receptacle longitudinally through a hollow mold provided with a refractory moist lining, and in discharging the powder from the re'ceptacle :and applying the same to the moist lining during the longitudinal movement of the receptacle to provide a coating on the inner face of the mold.

4. An apparatus for facing hollow molds with powdered material comprising mechanism for coating the inner surface of the mold with such material, saidmechanism including means movable within and longitudinally of the mold and operable for discharging an'd applying the powdered material to the inner surface of the mold to provide an inner coating.

5. An apparatus for facing hollow molds with powdered material comprising mechamaterial from the receptacle and for apply-- nism movable within and longitudinally of the mold for coating the inner surface thereof with a powdered material. said mechanism including means for discharging the powdered material and means for applying the same'to the mold surface to provide an inner coating.

. 6. A mold facing apparatus for applying powdered material to the interior of hollow molds, comprising a receptacle for a dry facing materiaLconstructed to be movable longitudinallv through a hollow mold, and means for effecting the discharge of the dry ying it to the inner surface of the mold to provide a coating. l

7. A mold facing apparatus for applying dry facing material to the inner face of a hollow mold comprising a receptacle for such facing material, means for effecting the disch-arge of the material from the receptacle, and means for applying the discharged material onto the inner wall of the mold to provide a coating.

8. `A mold facing device, comprising a receptacle for the facing material, means engaging `the walls of the' mold for supporting the receptacle, anoutlet opening in the receptacle, and means for automatically opening and closing said opening to permit the material to flow out.v

9. A mold facing device for applying facing material to the inner face of a hollow mold, comprising a receptacle for the facin material constructed` to be moved within an longitudinally of the mold, an outlet opening in the receptacle, and means for automatically opening and? closing said outlet opening to permit the material to flow out.

10. A mold facin device, comprising a. receptacle for hol 'ng powdered facing material, a frame for supporting the receptacle, flexible guiding means carried by the frame and engaging the walls of the mold, and means for applying the facing material to the inner walls of the mold.

11. A mold facing device, comprising a receptacle for' holding powdered facing material, and a frame for supporting the receptacle, said frame havingr guiding means including a cushioned facing at its sides for engaging the walls of the mold.

12. A mold facing device, comprising a receptacle for holding powdered facing material, and a frame for supporting the receptacle, said frame having a flexible sealing and guiding disk at one end to engage the walls of the mold.

'1.3. A mold facing device, comprising a receptacle for holding powderedffacing materiaL'and a frame for supporting the receptacle, said frame having a cushioned facing at its sides and a flexible. sealing and guiding disk at one end for engaging the Walls of the mold.

14. A mold facing device, comprising a receptacle for holding powdered facing material, means forv discharging the material therefrom, means for moving the receptacle within and longitudinally of the mold, and means for guiding the receptacle during its longitudinal movement.

1'5. A mold facing device, comprising a frame, a receptacle for facing material within the frame open at the bottom, means for closing the open bottom of the receptacle, and means for moving the receptacle toward and from the closing means to cause the discharge of the material.

16. A mold facing device, comprising a frame, a receptacle for facing material within the frame openat the bottom, a conical deflector for closing the open bottom of the receptacle, and means for moving the receptacle toward and from the said deflector toV cause the discharge of the material.

17. A mold fac ng device, comprlsing a frame, a receptacle for facing material within the frame, open at the bottom, means for closing the open bottom of the receptacle,

' mounted to slide on the shaft and open at the bottom, closing means for the bottom of the receptacle, a revoluble disk mounted on the shaft below the receptacle, a spring' for moving the receptacle toward the closing means, and means carried by the receptacle and Idisk for moving the receptacle away from the closing means.

19. A mold facing device, comprising a supporting frame, a revoluble shaft mounted in the same, a receptacle for facing material mounted to slide on-the shaft and open at the bottom, closing means for the bottom of the receptacle, a revoluble diskmounted on the shaft below the receptacle, a spring for moving the receptacle toward the closing means, and means carried by the receptacle and disk for moving the receptacle away from the closing means, said last named means consisting of cams mounted on the disk and a roller carried by the receptacle and actuated by the cams.

20. In a mold facing device, a-drum, strips of flexible material connected to the drum and arranged to fly outwardly ,by centrifuga-l A action when the drum is revolved and operative to smooth the facing material against the inner walls of the mold, and`means for revolving the drum.

, 21. In a moldfacing device, a drum, strips of flexible material connected tangetially at different points at their inner'en s to the drum and free at their outer ends, and means for revolving the drum to cause the free ends of the strips to fly outwardly by centrifugal action and operate to smooth the facing materia-l.

22. A mold facing device, comprisinga receptacle for holding powdered facing material, means for supporting the same, a rotatable shaft and a Series of flexible wipers carried by the shaft and arranged below the receptacle and operative to apply the material to the wall of a mold.

23. In a mold facing device, a receptacle lfor dry facing material, means for`causing the drying-material to be discharged from the receptacle, Aand means arranged below.

the receptacle and receiving the dry matel rial therefrom, said last named means causing the complete application of kthe dry material to the walls of the mold.

24. In a mold facing device, a receptacle for dry facing material, means for causing the dry material to be discharged from the receptacle, and means arranged below the receptacle and receiving the dry material therefrom; said means being revoluble and consisting of a series of flexible strips to engage the walls of the mold.

25. A mold facing device having a nonrotatable receptacle for dry facing material,

a frame surrounding the receptacle, an outlet opening in the recetacle, means for automatically opening an closing the same, a

revolving brush mounted for rotation below the receptacle and operative to apply the dry material issuing from the receptacle to the walls of the mold, ,and means mounted on the frame for revolving the-,brush.

26. A mold facin device adapted to be lowered into a moli? and having a non-revolving receptacle for facing material, a frame surrounding the receptacle and engaging the walls of the mold to guide the device, an outlet opening in the bottom of the receptacle, means for automatically opening and closing the same to permit the contents of the receptacle to How out intermittently, a

revolving brush mounted for rotation below' the receptacle and adapted to receive the material issuing from the outlet opening in the receptacle and to apply the same to the walls of the mold by rubbing the same thereinto, and means mounted on the frame for revolving the brush.

27. A mold facing device comprising aL tubularreceptacle open at both ends, a central, longitudinally-disposed shaft passing' through the receptacle, a spider slidably connecting the upper end of the receptacle to the shaft, an open frame surrounding the receptacle and having bearings for said shaft, means for holding the frame and receptacle from turning, a brush carried by the lower end-of the shaft, a motor supported on the frame for revolving the shaft and brush, a conical deflector fitting up into the receptacle and closing the bottom thereof, and means carried by the revolving shaftfor intermittently raising the receptacle oifof its seat to allow the contents to spread over the deflector and fall on -the revolving brush.

28. A mold facing deviceyemprising an open, cage-like frame having longitudinal arms for engagingthe walls' of the mold, a flexible wall scraping disc carried at the upper end-of the frame, a motor mounted on the frame and having a shaft extension passing centrally and longitudinally through the frame, a combined, conical spreader and closure carried within the frame at its .lower end, a tubular, open-ended receptacle for facing material slidably mounted on the shaft within the frame and normally resting on the conical closure, a spring surrounding the shaft at the upper end of the frame "andnormall holding the receptacle on the dY closure, and a disc mounted on spreader an the shaft below the frame and adapted to be Yrotated thereby, said' disc having diametrically opposite cams on its upper face, an arm secured to the lower end of the receptacle and having, at its lower end, a roller adapted to be actuated by said cams to raise the receptacle against the pressure ofksaid spring to allow the facing material to intermittently flow out. A

29. A mold facing device comprising an flexible wal shaft within the frame and normally resting on the conical closure, a spring surrounding the shaft at the upper end of the frame and normally holding the receptacle on the spreader and closure, and a disc mounted on the shaft below the frame and adapted to 'be rotated thereby, said`disc having diametrically o posite cams on its up er face, an arm secured) 'to the lower end of) the receptacle and having, at its lower end, a roller adapted to be actuated by said cams to raise the receptacle against the pressure of said spring to allow the facing material to intermittently flow out, and shoulders formed at the lower end of the frame in flanking relation to the roller arm to lock the receptacle against rotary movement relative to the frame.

30. A mold facing device comprising an open, cage-like frame having longitudinal arms for engaging the walls of the mold, a exible Wall scraping disc carried at the upper end ofthe frame, a motor mounted on the frame and having a shaft extension passing centrally and longitudinally through the frame, a drum mounted for rotation on the end of the shaft below the frame, said drum having flexible strips held thereon to brush the mold when the shaft is revolved, a combined, conical spreader and closure carried within the frame at its lower end, a tubular, open-ended receptacle for .facing material slidably mounted on the shaft within the frame and normally resting on the conical closure, a spring surrounding the shaft at the upper end of the frame and normally holding the receptacle on the spreader and closure, and a disc mounted on the shaft below the frame and adapted to be rotated thereby, said disc having diametrically opposite cams on its upper face, an arm secured to the lower end of the receptacle and having, at its lower end, a roller adapted to be actuated by said cams to raise the receptacle against the pressure of said spring to allow the facing material to intermittently flow out and onto the revolving brush, and shoulders formed at the lower end of the frame in flanking relation to the roller arm to lock the receptacle against rotary movement relative to the frame. W

In testimony, that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto aiiixed my .signature WILLIAM DAVIS MOORE. 

